Hands-free apparatus to apply a liner to an amputated appendage

Abstract

An apparatus for use to apply a liner to an appendage of a user includes a base member and a plurality of arms mounted to the base member. Each arm can include a rotating member, such as a roller ball, coupled to a top end of the arm. The plurality of arms can extend from the base member in a generally upright position and can support the liner thereon in an inside out position so that the application of downward pressure by the appendage of the user within the plurality of arms permits the arms to flex outward, thereby allowing the plurality of arms and roller balls to slide the liner around the appendage of the user. The height of the apparatus can be adjustable by forming each arm in two or more pieces having a height-adjustable engagement between the pieces. Such a configuration further allows for compact disassembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A liner application apparatus for applying a liner to an appendage of a user, comprising:
 a base member; 
 a plurality of arms, each of the plurality of arms having an upper arm member and a lower arm member attached together in a linear and height-adjustable arrangement, wherein a lower end of the lower arm member is mounted to the base member, and wherein an upper end of the upper arm member has a rotating member attached thereto; and 
 a central opening defined by the upper end of each of the plurality of arms; 
 wherein the plurality of arms are sized and configured to support the liner thereon in an inside-out position so that the application of downward pressure by the appendage of the user within the opening permits the plurality of arms and the rotating members to slide the liner around the appendage of the user, 
 wherein each rotating member comprises two wheels with one wheel disposed on each side of the upper end of each of the upper arm members, 
 wherein the upper end of each of the upper arm members includes a recess on opposite sides thereof for positioning of at least a portion of a respective wheel therein. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a through hole in the upper end of each of the upper arm members, the through hole receiving a connector of each wheel, the connector defining an axis of rotation for each wheel. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper arm member includes a plurality of upper arm holes formed therethrough. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the lower arm member includes at least two lower arm holes formed in an upper portion thereof, wherein a spacing between the lower arm holes corresponds to a spacing between two of the upper arm holes. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein outer edges of at least a portion of the upper arm member and the lower arm member are beveled. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a plurality of base recesses for receiving each respective one of the lower arm members of the plurality of arms. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein connecting pins are used to connect the upper arm member to the lower arm member, the connecting pins having a rounded exposed outer surface. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member includes a plurality of feet disposed on a bottom side thereof.